I occasionally talk to myself out loud, both consciously and unconsciously. Having your inner dialogue stay inside your head is overrated as far as I'm concerned. I usually do it to increase my concentration and work through various daily problems. But lately, I've been talking to myself for pure entertainment. For the last week and a half, I've been saying, at random, in a robotic voice: "I can see you crawling through my backdoor / I don't want it all " because of ORI's "BACKDOOR". The song's stuck in my head, and I love it. "BACKDOOR" is the party groove pop that puts any listener in a good mood while simultaneously in the mood as well. But the idea conveyed isn't to ooze sexuality as much as it is to be comfortable and have fun with it. The song opens with the robotic lyrics I've come to remember so well before shifting to a funky rhythm thanks to the bassline. ORI's breathy, bright vocals complement the overall sentiment of the song. while lyrics like "it's gonna be an avocado extravaganza" keep it silly and lighthearted. It's a great reminder that the bedroom does not have to be this well-thought-out production - it can be goofy and still all the more enjoyable. On top of listening to "BACKDOOR", the music video is also well worth the watch if not for the gimp suits, then at least for the nostalgia of the tech deck fingerboards seen ridden across a silicone chest. Native New Yorker, ORI, is so down to earth. She's fun and untethered to conventionality, and her music reflects this. Earlier singles like "Homeless Guy", "OmO", "Come Ova", and "Trance" showcase her ability to expertly experiment with sounds that are rarely combined while highlighting her vocation for being goofy. And I heard the artist likes the thought of performing in smaller, intimate settings, too. So let this be my suggestion and plea: ORI, I beg you, please let your next live performance of "BACKDOOR" be in one of those blackout - sensory deprivation - clubs with guys in gimp suits dancing amongst the audience members. But most importantly, please don't forget to invite me! I'll bring the tech decks. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW ARTIST:

There is a silent beauty in pain; it produces sentimental art that moves the masses. And sometimes even inspires others to produce art of their own to be shared. But, at some point, we become so hyper-fixated with these creations that we allow ourselves to live in a constant state of agony. Judah Gavra is going out of his way to prove that one does not have to live in this state to create meaningful art with his song, "Dreamer". “Dreamer” is a pop ballad accompanied by beautiful violin and piano playing. The song details how essential it is for someone to dream - to have hope - to aid them in overcoming personal struggles. Gavra begins the song by vocalizing the grip pain had on him while searching for this hope: "Show me how to dream again / Every time I close my eyes I’m drowning". This pain has its hooks in him for some time. But Gavra eventually finds his way back to a hopeful outlook. Or as Gavra puts it, "the dreamer found him". The dreamer, in this case, being the hope people need to persevere. Judah Gavra is no stranger to the spotlight. After graduating from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA) in New York, he performed at Carnegie Hall, The Lincoln Center, and several prestigious international festivals and stages. His most easily recognizable performance being at the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest, where he represented Israel by singing Tomer Adaddi and Yehuda Gavra's "Hayom". It landed him 4th place in the overall contest. Since then, the artist has had multiple performances and released five profound songs, "Dreamer" becoming his 5th and most recent. Now dream wondrous events, people, and things into your life while listening to "Dreamer". Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW ARTIST:

I'm ashamed to admit it, but I usually walk away from difficulties in romantic situations. For me, its' always been easier to sabotage potential long-term relationships than to sit through uncomfortable conversations or arguments that in hindsight, could have helped the connection grow beyond stagnancy. The uncertainty kills me - it makes me anxious beyond belief that a self-revelation I'm not quite ready to hear yet might come to light which forces me to react irrationally. Hence, the walking away. But Carley Varley's "Shore" has given me a much-needed push to weather the storms in these situations. Varley's "Shore" is a ukulele-driven pop song that details a relationship moving into a phase of great uncertainty. The lyrics are a fantastic showcase of strong imagery, metaphors, and plays on words. For example, the opening lyrics for the song are: "Wade, don't leave / Like this". A first-time listener might mistakenly hear 'wait' instead of 'wade', but it's much more fitting to wade - to walk with effort through the water - through challenging times in a relationship. Sometimes these challenges require some verbal disputes for the couple at hand to "make [their] way to shore". Even if they're not sure they would like to keep on trying. But enduring this process will strengthen the bond and emotion the couple shares. Carley Varley is a singer-songwriter and musician from Hampshire, U.K., known for incorporating diverse Indie elements in pop music. Varley has been honing her vocals, piano, and guitar-playing since the tender age of fourteen. She has always brought her exceptional vocal delivery and stellar personality forefront for audiences to be enchanted, which eventually led to her being recognized for her talents in 2016 in Lymington. In 2019, she released her first EP, 'Captured Memories'. Varley is currently on her second EP, 'Seasons'. 'Seasons' features her songs "Going Under", "Fall", "Miss Me", and of course, "Shore". An acoustic version of "Shore" will release on May 6th on both Spotify and YouTube, so definitely keep a lookout! Until then, you'll have to keep on weathering storms with her other hits. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW CARLEY VARLEY:

The room is littered with balloons and streamers of various colors and sizes, yet I am red from head to toe. Despite the decorations' presence, bombarding me with questions in hushed tones about someone I am no longer with seems to be the party-goers focus. Whereas I was politely nodding and wishing my former flame well, I’m now sucking in as much air as possible to keep my cool so I can give half-hearted responses. Then I’m pushed and abruptly thrown over the edge when a mutual friend dares to state: "You know, you broke their heart". I fully embrace my fall and devour everyone whole with my bottled-up rage, spitting them back out when I finish. Everything and everyone in my sight is now just as red as I was. I would feel remorseful for causing such a scene, but I’m showered in relief instead. 'Do You Regret It?' by Cristal B. has made me realize that healing from my break-up is not for the benefit of others - but for me. Click here to listen to 'Do You Regret It?' ‘Do You Regret It?’ is a piano ballad with soft, melodic vocals that details the events and emotions Cristal experienced after a break-up. The song begins with her singing “I don’t think about you anymore / At least that’s what I tell myself, even though it doesn’t help”; this is the white lie we all tell ourselves after a break-up in hopes of moving on quickly while putting on a brave front for the sake of others. But it never works because healing from a breakup takes time. Unfortunately, this healing process fluctuates, too. Cristal acknowledges this fluctuation with the subsequent lyrics; “I only wish you the best / At least that's what I tell them / When they ask me about you / And I'll keep on lying cause what I think is that you deserve the worst”. After a break-up, we are more than entitled to feel a range of emotions. The biggest of those emotions is anger, and we owe it to ourselves to validate this anger by actually allowing ourselves to express it. If you find yourself struggling with this expression, let the artist help you out and give the song a listen. Cristal B. spent her childhood in musical and choir performances, consistently showcasing her talents. Eventually she took a cue from her inspiration, Taylor Swift, by learning to play the acoustic guitar amongst other instruments to further her musical plights. During the pandemic, music became an imperative outlet for the Fort Lauderdale-based artist and producer. Her music has allowed her to release songs that explored the mental-emotional side of her own life. With other singles like ‘Bittersweet’, ‘Broken Heroes’, and her debut ‘My Therapist’, Cristal provides listening audiences with raw insight while simultaneously enveloping them in a vital therapeutic encounter. I along with others eagerly look forward to hearing more songs from the artist. But until then, I'll just keep streaming 'Do You Regret It?' and get some much-needed validation. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW CRISTAL B.:

A child obsessed with romantic movies and songs is bound to become a hopeless romantic as an adult; I’m living proof of that. Grand romantic gestures have undoubtedly become my love language. I adore random bouquets or trinkets just because they’re reminders of me. Surprise tickets to see my favorite musicians or plays. Going on spontaneous but well-thought-out getaway trips to places I’ve been dying to visit. My most prized possession is even a letter a former flame wrote to me - a testament to my fondness for grand romantic gestures. But the most opulent romantic gesture would be to have a love song written about meeting me like John Long’s 'My Forever'. The catchy single details how Long knew his now wife was the one he wanted to be with “forever” when he met her. ‘My Forever’ opens with a bouncy rhythm accompanied by the occasional finger snap. During this, Long describes the anxiousness he experienced when he met his wife to the listener; he was “holding on his hand like a nervous wreck / [and] hope she didn’t notice". Being confronted with the possibility of the person at hand being 'the one' is anxiety-inducing. And while some cannot handle the anxiety, Long fully embraces it. The listener notices this embracement when the rhythm suddenly incorporates a banjo – transforming the sound and giving the pop track a wonderful folksy influence. Long sings the chorus with gospel-like vocals to emphasize this unique sound, and doing so demonstrates how freeing a love like this can be once you have overcome apprehension. The song was initially an entry submission for a contest hosted by Fiverr, but Long now has it released for all to hear and become smitten over. The single is just a little taste of what is to come from the talented artist; his album ‘Zealous’ will be released on May 6th and can be pre-saved riht now. On top of being a singer and songwriter, John Long is also a studio engineer and owner of Arrow Point Studio in Greenwood, Missouri – just right outside of Kansas City. If you admire his sound as much as I do and consider yourself an aspiring musician, consider creating some magic with John. And who knows, maybe he'll help you produce a love song for your sweetheart, too. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW JOHN LONG:

With a coffee mug in one hand and my cat in the other hand, I dance around my kitchen to loud music. I swirl and dip my grumpy cat at the crescendos while balancing my piping hot coffee with ease. I've done this performance hundreds upon thousands of times – it’s second nature at this point – it’s become a morning ritual. Most of the time I leave my home feeling empowered and ready to take on the day's obstacles because of this ritual. Then other times, the morning ritual falls short of its desired effect. Sometimes it's not enough; just the thought of potential obstacles overwhelms me. But thanks to Tam Alawa's 'What I'm Made Of', it hasn't been a problem lately. The self-reliant song gives me the extra vigor I crave. ‘What I’m Made Of’ is a transfixing concoction of rhythmic pop, ambient electronic, and a surprising mellow piano that emphasizes the mood. There’s one particular part of the song that I want to dissect for a moment – the middle 8 section. The electronic track the listener has become familiar with suddenly switches to a bright piano melody. Alawa’s sonorous vocals then quiet to an ethereal whisper, putting the listener in a suspended state of reality. Within this state, she whispers: “When the waves hit, I’m the undertow / When the fire starts, oh I’m the air that flows” and she repeats these lyrics with increasing vibrato as if talking directly to the listener’s subconscious. By doing so, Alawa is not only reassuring the listener of their inner strength but reminding them of it, too. It's the reminder that you need to hear before seizing the day and an absolute must to add to your morning ritual. Based in London, Tam Alawa has her sights set on becoming a global sensation for all to resonate with and enjoy. In the upcoming months, the singer and songwriter will be releasing more emotional material for audiences to consume. ‘What I'm Made Of’ is the second of the two singles she currently has out, so be on the lookout for more! In the meantime, you can keep empowering yourself by either listening to the song on multiple streaming services or keeping up with Alawa on various social media platforms. Written By Giavanna Gradaille FOLLOW TAM ALAWA:

Taylor Lenz’s new release “1800HEARTLESS” is an all too relatable track of when you go from mad to sad after a breakup. To really, deeply love someone is to be devastated when they’re no longer in your realm. So when you’re crying on the bathroom floor, and they’re out with the boys seeming unbothered, it’s easy to feel like they never really loved you in the first place. It’s hard to love another when you don’t even have a heart. No one is safe when falling in love with a heartless man. They fake it just long enough for you to fall before leaving you completely upside down in their wake. This is not the song to wallow and reminisce; this is the song to scream at the top of your lungs before you delete your ex’s number, go out with the girls, and kiss a stranger. Taylor was driving around Los Angeles, heartbroken in the middle of a breakup, when she realized the person she had dated shows no remorse for everything he put her through. While venting to her mom on the phone, it occurred to her that she’s never heard an upbeat pop song from the perspective of how it feels to love someone that lacked a heart entirely. After her tears turned to rage, “1800HEARTLESS” came together in about 5 minutes, as there’s no greater fire than exasperation. The next day, she was in the studio with Grammy Award Winning producer, Zack Djurich. Taylor took her artistic vision one step further by co-directing her very first music video for the song. Taylor channels the life of a housewife-gone-wrong, as she pulls inspiration from the glamorous era of the 1950s and 1960s, creating a captivating vintage aesthetic. “1800HEARTLESS” is a unique blend of relatable lyrics and irresistible melodies that will heal your broken heart in the best kind of way. Taylor Lenz is a rising star in the world of pop music. Born and raised in Kansas City, Missouri, she fills her songs with clever turns of phrase, catchy authenticity, and emotions demanding to be felt. Her breakout single “Tease” earned airtime on MTV, making Taylor ‘Artist of the Week’. Taylor's musical prowess extends far beyond her infectious songs; she is armed with a Bachelor's Degree in Songwriting, and is the sole writer behind most of her captivating catalog. She has received radio play from the top stations and received great accolades from iconic publications. Now based in Los Angeles, Taylor is taking the music scene by storm and establishing herself as a voice for the young and heartbroken. Written By Grace Chapman FOLLOW TAYLOR LENZ:

Relationships should be a team effort. A 50/50, a mutual love, a joint respect and admiration, and the knowledge that you two are in this life together. However, sometimes this partnership does not last as long as expected or hoped. One party begins to fall out of love, and once the other notices, it sends them spiraling. This is exactly what Twam’s new release “Identity Crisis” depicts. The song is upbeat and full of fast paced rhythms, while also perfectly explaining Twam’s heart as it is actively breaking. One would think that, because of the material, the song would be depressing, but Twam’s upbeat style shines through, showing his snarky attitude and musical knowledge. Despite how upbeat the song and soundscape is, the lyrics are heartbreaking once you listen intently. Twam wastes no time dancing around the subject, as the song opens with “I’ve been thinking lately you’ve been acting hella shady / And it seems you may be falling out of love”. His matter of factness is striking, and shows just how strongly he feels about it. The fact is obvious, why lie to yourself saying it's otherwise? The chorus hits listeners hard as he sings, “You’re turning me / Into something I never wanted to be / Oh, Identity crisis / All because of you”. He is so torn up over the end of his relationship that he is going against his own morals and disliking who he is becoming. This idea carries on when he says “I gave you all you wanted but you seem so disappointed / And now I don’t even know if I’m enough / So I’ve been drinking, smoking tryna cope with these emotions / Boy I think I probably need to sober up”. He is turning to substances to make himself feel better, and beginning to slip away from the mindset he should be in. The final heartbreak is when he sings, “You take and take so often / But I can’t escape the way I’m falling”. All he wants is for his love to be reciprocated and appreciated, and all he is rewarded with is his lonely fall down a dark path. Twam is a 20 year old singer and drummer from Boston, MA. His real name is Stephen Sifflard, and he has over 300 monthly listeners on Spotify. His first release was a track titled “Outta Time”, released in early 2022. He has over 20,000 followers on TikTok, the platform that seems to have helped his following grow the most. His style is similar to that of Kid Cudi, Frank Ocean, and Tyler, the Creator, with honest lyrics and a fun background. Twam’s career has only just begun, so make sure you follow the social medias below to stay tuned for more of his music. Written By Tessa Maddaloni FOLLOW TWAM:

Tyler Jarvis’s “TIME” is a perfect take on the early feelings of a new relationship. Even more importantly, it shows listeners that they can experience those same feelings today. Tyler starts off the song by asking this girl if she will hold his hand and take a chance. He says he “can’t hold it back,” and hopes their relationship could last. In the pre-chorus, Tyler says they “can drive all night to the sunrise,” and says they don’t have to keep their love to FaceTime. He’s going out of his way for his girl, and he feels like their love is a love song that will go on forever. Then Tyler introduces the title of the song, saying “if love is spelt time/I’ll give you all mine.” He is so in love with this girl that he’s been waiting for a relationship like theirs for all his life. In the second verse, he goes into how much he cares about this girl. He says that he doesn’t need sleep because she’s “better than [his] dreams.” He compares their relationship to a perfect day in the middle of July with a beautiful sky. After repeating the pre-chorus and chorus again, Tyler goes into the bridge. He says it doesn’t matter where they go because she will always be his destination. He gives the relationship his all “without hesitation,” and time spent with his girl is never a waste. “TIME” has a beautiful message about the “honeymoon” stage of the relationship, with all the little nuisances you love about your partner. “TIME” is the perfect way to capture the last bit of summer vibes as the season comes to an end. This song definitely has a dance feel to it, but isn’t electronic like many dance hits; it feels acoustic and genuine. The song starts off a bit slow with a complex and deep soundscape. A synth hits, and it speeds up as it leads into the song. Listeners first hear a groovy guitar, which contributes to the dance vibe. The drums are prominent throughout the song, and they’re nice and heavy. Tyler could’ve chosen a basic 4x4 drum beat, but they’re way more creative than the average pop song. There’s clearly a rock influence in “TIME.” Tyler’s vocals are smooth, especially in the chorus. In the pre-chorus and the chorus, the harmonies are beautiful and decadent. The cherry on top of “TIME” is the guitar solo. In the bridge in between the lyrics, there’s a great guitar solo. It was the perfect addition to the song, and it completes the song. Tyler Jarvis was first introduced to music when his dad gifted him a guitar for Christmas when he was 13. After taking guitar lessons with his dad and brother, he hasn’t looked back since. He combines pop elements with rock influences from greats like Queen and Don Henley. His music is defined by his genuine, captivating lyrics. Tyler was originally from Cincinnati, Ohio, but moved to Atlanta, Georgia later in life. Now, he’s been on tour all over the southeast, but he continues to play in his hometown. However, one of his favorite things to do on tour is to visit new cities. Tyler continues to capture the essence of authenticity and passion in all he does. Written By Lauren DiGiovanni FOLLOW Tyler Jarvis:

Are there certain songs that you associate with certain people? Perhaps, people that are no longer in your life? For pop artist, NIIVA, music serves as a memory trigger. Her favorite songs are tethered to those moments and people and experiences that were happening at the time when she heard them. In her latest track, "That Song," she puts this feeling to words, as she sings about how some of her favorite songs have been changed by those she has them associated with. How it is important to find new melodies that are not tainted by the people and experiences that were negative. If this is a sentiment that you can connect with, "That Song" is a track that you should listen to. Click here to listen to "That Song"! "That Song" is an engaging, electro-pop track about how NIIVA has lost songs she loved because she connects them with the negative exes in her life at the time and needs to find new melodies just for her to act as a "remedy" for this. She expresses this in the verses with lyrics like "What a shame / I hate my favorite song and you're to blame" and "The things I used to love drive me insane / What a shame." These heartfelt lyrics are backed by an exciting, dance beat production that kept me moving around in my seat. In the infectious refrain, she sings about how "That song used to make me move, ooh / Now all it does is make me think about you." Here, she dives into the experience of how people from our past can be tied to the things that we love. There can be good memories associated with these people and these songs, but in this track, NIIVA is experiencing the other side of that: she hates what she loved because of them. Between clear vocals, compelling hooks, and bittersweet lyrics, NIIVA has crafted a powerful pop anthem that everyone should be blasting and dancing around to in their bedrooms. NIIVA is a Bulgarian-born, England-raised, and Canadian-based pop singer with a danceable sound similar to artists like Dua Lipa and Ava Max. She has been listed as iHeart Radio's Future Star and Amazon Music Canada's Breakthrough Artist. Her debut EP has earned over three million streams, and she has garnered over 50 thousand monthly listeners on her Spotify. With honest, relatable lyrics and infectious pop hooks, NIIVA has already made a mark on the music world, and I cannot wait to see what she does next. Keep up with all her latest releases and info at the social media links below. Written By Sydney Gray FOLLOW NIIVA:

Everyone has known a person who thinks they’re just too smart for their own good; Liam Benayon’s “Next Chapter” is no different, which was inspired by a guy who had constantly and incessantly sent Benayon the books he was reading with an air of pseudo intellectualism. With cheeky lyrics and a beat that worms its way directly into your ears, “Next Chapter” is a sonic sensation. Every verse is a bold callout of this guy– his ego, his pretentiousness, and his need to overanalyze Lana Del Rey lyrics. “Next Chapter” is for all the folks who have suffered at the hands of a man who annoyingly thought he was the next Oscar Wilde, George Orwell, or literally any dead literary critic. “Next Chapter” truly is a quintessential pop song; when I think “pop,” I imagine energetic, bubblegum-pink beats and lyrics about stupid boys and love lost and gained. Benayon manages to be all of these while simultaneously maintaining his own style of pop through mixing synth, dance-pop, and an electronica voice. The mixing in this song is no joke– it’s full of everything that makes pop “pop.” Benayon’s songwriting is also super fun; I particularly enjoyed the little bits in between the chorus and verses where the narrator complains about this guy, saying, “No, like he keeps sending me her new album/I don’t care!” The song is full of little snips like this, such as when the narrator teases the ex by pretending to want to hear about the latest book he’s reading or the newest Lana release, making fun of the ex's overinflated ego and supposed smarts. I think Benayon sums up this guy perfectly with one line: “I don’t really think we need a next chapter.” Formerly on the producing and songwriting side of the music industry, Toronto-based singer-songwriter Liam Benayon is a new, fresh, and eclectic voice in the shimmery world of pop, offering a unique musical experience wrapped in all the glitz and glam of synth and dance-pop. His debut single, “Don’t Call Me At A Party,” released in 2023 and was shortly followed by his second single “Next Chapter.” And while he’s new to performing live, he certainly knows how to entertain: he's charmed crowds at PRIDE Toronto, YYC Live, and Breaking Sound in NYC. Like these high-energy performances, his music is no different, being nothing but fun and cheery with just the right amount of attitude. “Next Chapter” is Benayon’s latest release, but I’m sure there’ll be many more chapters to come for this rising star. Written By Alexa Leung FOLLOW LIAM BENAYON:

Spending late nights dreaming of something bigger than ourselves. Sneaking out of the house to run wild with your friends. Where did the time go? It’s all just memories now. We’re all so far away from the youthfulness our hometowns offered. Aurora's sages track PCH covers this nostalgic feeling in such a beautifully compelling way. With a mixture of rustic guitar and melodic synth, the track brings out a dynamic soundscape that invokes wistful feelings. Let’s take a trip down memory lane with Aurora Sage. PCH is short for Pacific Coast Highway. Those of us born and raised on the West Coast know this well. Aurora Sage holds PCH in a special place in her heart and it shows with this track. The record aptly named after the highway is a bittersweet pop track that dives into the changes that come with adulthood. This Soft acoustic track is a love letter to Sage's hometown in California. Though the track is a pop song it has many elements of country that do not go unnoticed. Her use of acoustic guitar creates a dreamy atmosphere that takes you along the ride with Sage as she remembers her youthful exuberance. PCH is a beautiful track that makes the listener miss the days of running free before the responsibilities of adulthood. Aurora Sage is a singer/songwriter based in Nashville. She is rather new to the industry but her talent is years in the making. Her sound is like no other, blending pop, indie rock, and R&B into each of her tracks. She puts her heart and soul into each song. Her strong suit is writing relatable songs. Sage has a knack for songwriting that should put her on everyone's radar. Aurora Sage is one to watch. Written By Kaiana Lee FOLLOW AURORA SAGE: